Naaman Is Healed

Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Syria. He was important and respected, and victories had come through him. But Naaman had leprosy. In his house was a young girl from Israel who had been taken captive, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said that if Naaman could go to the prophet in Samaria, he would be healed.

When the king of Syria heard this, he sent Naaman with a letter to the king of Israel. Naaman travelled with silver, gold, and clothes. But when the king of Israel read the letter asking for healing, he tore his clothes. He said he was not God, and he thought this request was looking for a quarrel.

Elisha, the man of God, heard what had happened and sent word to the king of Israel to send Naaman to him. Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stopped at Elisha’s house. Elisha did not come out. Instead, he sent a messenger with clear instructions: wash in the Jordan seven times, and you will be clean.

Naaman became angry. He had expected Elisha to come out, call on the name of Yahweh his God, wave his hand over the diseased place, and heal him. He also thought the rivers of Damascus were better than the waters of Israel, so he turned away in a rage. But his servants spoke wisely to him. If the prophet had asked for some great thing, they said, why not obey this simple word?

Then Naaman went down to the Jordan and dipped himself seven times, just as the man of God had said. His flesh was restored, like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. Naaman had come with power and riches, but he was healed when he listened to the word he had been given. What part of this story do you think was hardest for Naaman to accept?